Colors

Color is an important element of MIT’s graphic identity. When you use MIT’s official colors in your communications, you reinforce your connection to the Institute.

The MIT logo was designed to be used in two colors to emphasize the three distinct letters. The primary color combinations are black and red, red and gray, and black and gray, but the MIT logo may also be used in custom colors to coordinate with your department’s communications. Visit our Do/Don’t page for color tips on using the MIT logo.

The MIT seal may be used in red, black, or white (for use on a red or black background).

Specifications for MIT colors

MIT’s official colors are PMS 201 C and PMS 423 C and black. PMS 420 C may also be used when a light gray is needed to contrast with PMS 423 C.

When rendering the MIT colors in CMYK (process color), use the following:

MIT logo colors

Black with a red “i”. On websites, the hover state should be the red and gray version.

Red with a gray “i”. On websites, the hover state should be the black and red version.

Black with a gray “i”. On websites, the hover state should be the red and gray version.

Gray with a light gray “i”. On websites, the hover state should be the red and gray version.

Light gray with a white “i”. On websites, the hover state should be all white.

For web developers, all five color options (plus the all-white rollover option) are available as a single tiled .png set, also known as a sprite, which allows any of the versions to be changed easily using CSS positioning. Contact CPS to acquire the sprite.

The MIT logo may also be used in custom colors to coordinate with your department’s communications. Visit our Do/Don’t page for color tips on using the MIT logo.

MIT seal colors

The MIT seal may be expressed in red, black, or reversed out to white on dark backgrounds.